AMBER Alert Website Offline Because of Government Shutdown; System Still Operating

Due to a lapse in federal funding as the government shutdown continues, the Department of Justice's AMBER Alert website is down, but that doesn't mean that the system isn't up and running. It operates on a local, rather than national, basis, so regional governments and law enforcers are responsible for alerting the public about developments regarding missing children through news updates, social media and road signs. Therefore, while the federal government may host the website for the Department of Justice's program, it really doesn't play much of a part in carrying out the program.

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Many news sources have falsely reported that the shutdown of the website also means a shutdown of the system. In reality, the system does not even slightly depend on the Department of Justice's website. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) compiles AMBER alerts nationwide into a list on its website, and the Department of Justice's website simply redirects to that website. Not to worry: NCMEC's site is still online and fully functional, and there are no current AMBER alerts in effect.

AMBER alerts are only issued in the most serious of cases, and the government shutdown will not prevent any alerts from being made. The website may be offline, but the public still has the tools it needs to keep children safe.

What do you think about the AMBER alert website being down? Share your thoughts in the comments below.